Applicator



April 5, 1955 s. E. SVENSON APPLICATOR Filed June 18", 1955 United States Patent Ofiice 2,705,496 Patented Apr. 5, 1955 APPLICATOR Sven Evert Svenson, Pompton Plains, N. 1., assignor to Holfmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley, N. L, a corporation of New Jersey Application June 18, 1953, Serial No. 362,596

2 Claims. 01. 128-261) This invention relates to an applicator which is adapted for use in introducing medicaments in various forms into body orifices. The applicator is particularly adapted to be used with treating agents in both a solid form, as, for example, capsules, tablets, or suppositories, and in a fluid or semi-fluid form, as jellies, creams or pastes.

It is frequently necessary to insert medication deep into body orifices and to deposit the agent there to act upon the organ. Conventionally, the medicinal agent is inserted by means of a long tube or a rod-like applicator which is adapted to pass through the surface opening of the body orifice and to penetrate into the deep recesses of the organ. Medicinal agents for treating body disorders in this manner are prepared in various forms, that is, in solid forms such as capsules, tablets, and suppositories, or in fluid or semi-fluid forms such as jellies, creams and pastes. More than one of these forms may be prescribed during one course of treatment. Conventional applicators, however, are adapted to introduce only one form of medicament, thus necessitating the purchase of several instruments to accommodate each form of agent required.

The present invention avoids the need for more than one device since it is adapted to introduce medicaments into body cavities in any of the forms mentioned above. The device is simple in design and operation for easy utilization by the patient himself. In addition, the two simple parts constituting the apparatus of the invention can be constructed of hygienic material, are easily assembled or disassembled and are readily cleansed for safe contact with delicate internal tissues.

The improved applicator of this invention consists of two parts, an elongated hollow tube with a bulbous collar affixed to each end and a capped, solid rod which may be inserted through either end of the tube. The collar aflixed to one end of the tube is smoothly bored internally to form a chamber which is adapted to receive a solid form of medicinal agent such as a tablet, capsule, or suppository. Preferably the chamber is cylindrical in shape, though it may also be frusto-conical or cup shaped. The collar affixed to the second and opposite end of the tube is internally threaded and is particularly adapted to receive the threaded, dispensing end of the conventional collapsible squeeze tube but medicinal agents may also be introduced from other dispensing devices. The hollow tube and the solid rod are constructed of a rigid, transparent or translucent material such as glass or thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic. The collars and the rod cap are constructed of metal or of the same material as the tube, preferably the latter in an opaque form. The collars and cap may be afiixed to the tube and rod respectively by friction fit, screw fit, or may be bonded by an adhesive.

The accompanying drawing further illustrates the device of this invention.

Figure 1 is an elevation view of the assembled applicator.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the first end of the tube showing the smoothly bored collar affixed to the tube with the rod in position to dispense a solid medicinal agent from that end.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the second end of the tube showing the internally threaded collar aflixed with the rod in position to dispense a fluid medicinal agent from that end.

Figure 4 is a view of a modified form of the tube calibrated to indicate the quantity of fluid present.

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the cylindrical chamber in the operation of dispensing a tablet.

Referring to Figure l, the applicator comprises a hollow tube 1 preferably constructed of a plastic material such as cellulose acetate (hot molded) having the collars 3 and 4 frictionally fitted to the respective ends of the tube. These collars, constructed of material similar to that of the tube but in an opaque form, are extensions of the main tube and are slightly bulbous on their exterior surfaces. All exterior surfaces are smoothly finished for safe introduction into and contact with the body cavities. Collar 3, also shown in Figure 3 in section, is internally threaded and particularly adapted to receive by screw fit the threaded, delivery end of a conventional collapsible dispensing tube. Collar 4, also shown in Figures 2 and 5 in section, has a smooth walled cylindrical chamber 7 at the outermost end which is larger in diameter than the tube 1 and is adapted to receive and frictionally hold until ejected by the plunger a solid medicinal agent such as a tablet. Collar 4 is provided with seat 8 on which the tablet may abut and which prevents the tablet from receding into the tube. Each collar, in addition to serving as a smooth tip for the easy insertion of the applicator into the body orifice and as a means for introducing the medicament into the applicator, also functions as a stop for the rod 2 by contact with the cap 5.

Tube 1 is fitted with a solid cylindrical rod or plunger 2 having a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the tube and slightly less in length than the overall length of the applicator with the collars afiixed to the tube. Plastic cap 5, affixed to one end of rod 2, is esthetically designed in size and shape to function as a convenient means for holding and operating the rod as well as to act as a stop for the rod by contact with an adjacent collar. The rod may be inserted through either end of the tube to dispense a medicinal agent from the opposite end of the tube and slides freely through the length of the tube in plunger or piston-like fashion until stopped by contact of the cap with the adjacent collar.

In operation, the rod 2 is inserted through the collar remote from the end appropriate for the use intended. When the medicament is in the form of a jelly, for example, the rod 2 is inserted into the tube 1 through collar 4 so as to expel the medicinal agent from collar 3 as shown in Figure 3. The jelly dispensing tube (not shown), with cap removed, is screwed into the threaded section 6 of collar 3. By squeezing the collapsible tube and simultaneously withdrawing the rod 2, the required amount of medicated jelly is drawn into the tube 1. The applicator is inserted through the surface opening into the body cavity as deeply as required, the rod is gently depressed to force out the medicament, then the applicator is withdrawn.

When a solid form of medicament such as a tablet is prescribed, the tablet 9 is lodged within. collar 4 and the rod 2 is inserted through collar 3. The applicator is then introduced into the body cavity in the manner described above and the tablet is expelled from its place within the collar as shown in Figure 5 into the desired location within the body organ by pressure exerted -on the rod.

By utilizing both ends of the applicator tube and simply changing the direction of movement of the rod, the single unit may be utilized for the introduction of solid and liquid forms of medicinal agents.

According to one modification of the invention, shown in Figure 4, the tube 1A may be appropriately calibrated in cubic centimeters, fluid ounces or other units to indcate the quantity of fluid within the tube. A measured quantity of fluid can then be drawn into or expelled from the tube.

I claim:

1. An applicator comprising an elongated hollow tube, a bulbous collar fitted to each end of said tube, the collar fitted at the first end of the tube being internally threaded, the collar fitted at the second end of the said tube containing a smooth walled, cylindrical chamber within the portion of the collar most remote from said second tube end, said cylindrical chamber having a diameter greater than the inside diameter of the tube, and a solid rod having a diameter less than the inside diameter of the tube with a cap afiixed to one end, said rod moving slidably and reversibly within said tube.

2. An applicator comprising an elongated hollow tube, a bulbous collar frictionally fitted to each end of said tube, the collar fitted at the first end of the tube being internally threaded and adapted to receive by screw fit the threaded end of a collapsible dispensing tube, the collar fitted at the second end of the said tube having a cylindircal chamber at the portion of the collar most remote from the other end, said cylindrical opening having a diameter greater than the inside diameter of the tube and adapted to receive a solid medicament, and a solid rod having a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the tube with a cap atfixed to one end, said rod moving slidably and reversibly within said tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,195,675 Lewis Apr. 2, 1940 2,503,445 Lermer Apr. 11, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 463,757 Great Britain Apr. 6, 1937 Germany Nov. 12, 1951 

